"The toughest opponent? Messi was a real headache" - Marcelo reveals who he considers the hardest rival

Marcelo has admitted that Lionel Messi is a true nightmare for any defender.

Details: The 37-year-old former Real Madrid and Brazil national team defender recently revealed in an interview that matches against Messi were extremely tough, although he isn't the only one worth mentioning when it comes to formidable opponents.

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Despite Messi's genius, Marcelo remains loyal to his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, considering him the best player on the planet:

"My toughest opponent?

Messi was a real headache. Jesús Navas also made life very difficult for me, and Xabi Prieto was very tough to defend against. Pedro was also very good."

But I always choose Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi is incredible. We loved watching both of them, well, I liked watching only one. I'm a huge Cristiano fan," Marcelo admitted.

Marcelo played for Real Madrid from 2007 to 2022. He made 546 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals and providing 104 assists. In February this year, Marcelo announced his retirement from professional football. His last club was his boyhood side Fluminense.

Reminder: "Messi is Naruto or Son Goku, and Ronaldo is Sasuke or Vegeta" – Nicolas Pépé draws an unusual comparison between two legends